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COCA News and Announcements

Upcoming COCA Call/Webinar

CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response funds Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Centers (PERRCs) to examine the organization, function, capacity, and performance of components in the public health system in preparing for and responding to all potential threats and hazards. The Emory University PERRC conducted a study examining disaster preparedness in nursing homes and home health agencies. Although nursing homes and home health agencies care for over 2 million patients, they typically have not been included in disaster planning efforts. Please join us for this COCA call where subject matter experts will share findings from their study and discuss strategies to incorporate nursing homes and home health agencies into community-wide disaster planning.

CDC News and Announcements

"Did You Know?" is a weekly feature from the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support to highlight prevention activities. The series features research and program activity from CDC. Please access, use, and share this information broadly with your colleagues and partners.

CDC Scienceclips: Volume 4– Apr 17 (CDC)Each week, to enhance awareness of emerging scientific knowledge, selected science clips will be posted for the public health community. The focus is applied public health research and prevention science that has the capacity to improve health now.

Disabilities: Emergency Preparedness Training– Mar 26 (CDC)For the millions of Americans with disabilities, emergencies such as fires and floods present real challenges. Learn how people with disabilities, their families, and first responders can plan ahead for safety during a disaster.

Bombing and Blast Injury Care and Response – Mar 26 (CDC)A blast or bombing can wreak havoc in a moment's notice, producing mass casualties with complex, technically challenging injuries not commonly seen after natural disasters. Learn how to save lives and build resilience.

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather

Wildfires– (CDC)Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Know whether you are at risk and protect yourself.

Infectious, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

Weekly Flu View– Apr 20 (CDC)During week 15, 7.0% of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to pneumonia and influenza. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.7% for week 15.

National and State Healthcare-associated Infections Standardized Infection Ratio Report– Apr 19 (CDC)A new state-by-state breakdown of health care-associated infections shows reductions in infection rates across the country. The report also pinpoints that some medical procedures will require stronger infection prevention efforts to maximize patient safety. This is the first time that CDC is releasing a standardized infection ratio for central line-associated bloodstream infections for each of the 50 states. As seen in the report, 21 states had significant decreases in central line-associated bloodstream infections between 2009 and 2010, which has contributed to the progress seen on a national level.

Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Launch Seasonal Flu Vaccination Program– Apr 17 (CDC)On April 24, 2012, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR, or Laos), a small and relatively resource-poor southeast Asian country, will launch a seasonal influenza vaccination program to protect adults at high risk of serious flu-related complications, including pregnant women, in that country. The program launch is the product of a 6-year collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Lao Ministry of Health to develop the country’s influenza public heath capacities.

Travel Safety

Current Travel Warnings– Apr 18 (US Department of State)Travel Warnings are issuedwhen long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff.

Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children– Apr 19 (FDA)Young children have died or become seriously ill from accidental exposure to a skin patch containing a powerful pain reliever. As a result of this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a safety alert to warn patients, caregivers and health care professionals about the dangers of accidental exposure to and improper storage and disposal of the fentanyl patch.

FDA takes steps to protect public health– Apr 11 (FDA)The FDA is issuing three documents that will help veterinarians, farmers and animal producers use medically important antibiotics judiciously in food-producing animals by targeting their use to only address diseases and health problems. Under this new voluntary initiative, certain antibiotics would not be used for so-called “production” purposes, such as to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency in an animal. These antibiotics would still be available to prevent, control or treat illnesses in food-producing animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.

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